Segway is planting its e-bike flag within the US with a brand new devoted electrical bike group forward of the upcoming launch of its two hotly anticipated long-range electrical bicycle fashions, the Segway Xafari and Xyber.
The 2 spectacular (and maybe barely imposing) e-bike fashions had been first unveiled earlier this 12 months and are nonetheless slated for a launch in Q1 2025, which is now quick approaching.
Whereas Segway hasn’t spilled all of the beans but (that’s probably coming forward of the January 7 pre-order launch), we do know that the extra commuter-looking Xafari is rated for 88 miles (141 km) of vary whereas the moto-styled Xyber will apparently be able to as much as 100 miles (160 km) per cost in its twin battery format.
Regardless of the radically totally different designs of the 2 bikes, they’re each technically categorised as electrical bikes, sporting all the required gear (primarily the totally useful pedals) and presumably working throughout the present US three-class e-bike laws.
However greater than typical electrical bikes, Segway’s fashions seem like armed to the enamel with sensible tech, offering extremely linked bikes utilizing what is named the “Segway Clever Experience System”. The corporate describes it as “industry-leading know-how with options which have extra in widespread with automobiles than e-bikes.”
“In some ways, we’re a know-how firm first,” defined Segway’s head of e-bike Nick Howe. “Product conversations begin with discussions of ‘tech stacks’ and increase from there. We’re utilizing our know-how to create a extra seamless person expertise very like what has been executed with vehicles.”
What sort of options are we speaking about right here? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine, however we count on to be taught extra because the pre-order date approaches early subsequent 12 months. From the images alone we will see each fashions characteristic full-suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, built-in lighting, fenders, and chunky batteries indicative of the long-range figures we’ve heard thus far, to not point out the futuristic and glossy designs. The Xafari takes on a extra recognizable cycling-focused design and features a rear rack, whereas the Xyber seems extra like a mini-moto, regardless of its pedals serving to it retain that coveted e-bike classification for authorized using.
As a part of the preparations for what’s shaping as much as be a serious US launch, Segway has begun build up in depth operations stateside, together with a devoted e-bike division.
The corporate’s head of e-bike, Nick Howe, joined Segway this summer season, bringing with him 25 years of expertise within the biking {industry}. That features serving as the chief director of Orbea and because the world model director for Trek, to not point out having owned and operated a number of Colorado bike retailers.
Different key additions to the group embody Heather Henderson as senior model supervisor and Sophie Eaton as gross sales operations director. Henderson beforehand served in numerous roles at Trek, Cannondale, and Cervélo Cycles, and she or he has additionally owned and operated her personal bike store. Eaton has senior gross sales expertise with HLC, Cinelli Bicycles, Big Bicycle, and Clif Bar.
In different phrases, Segway has snatched up some key biking {industry} of us for its e-bike division’s management group, underscoring the model’s give attention to a serious rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to comply with sooner or later. “These are two unbelievable but very totally different bikes and that is solely the start,” mentioned Howe. “We will’t wait to point out you what else we have now in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with build up its US group and making ready for the launch of the Xyber and Xafari fashions, Segway has additionally introduced plans to develop a nationwide vendor community within the US.
The model has shared that it’s going to give attention to unbiased bicycle retailers, devoted electrical bicycle retailers, and what it’s calling “different bicycle sellers” or OBDs—retailers that is probably not bike-specific however are a very good match for its e-bikes, equivalent to bike, powersports, and outside retailers.
Not limiting itself to solely retail gross sales, Segway can also be providing on-line gross sales choices the place the bikes might be ordered on-line after which shipped to a neighborhood vendor of their selection for meeting. This technique additionally helps guarantee riders know the place they will simply discover service for his or her bikes.
“These are superior machines,” mentioned Howe. “However they’re additionally very subtle and technical. We need to make sure the buyer has the very best expertise doable, and meaning skilled meeting and repair. It additionally provides us an ideal alternative to help the sellers who’re the spine of the bicycle {industry}.”
Whereas there are various technical particulars and specs we’re nonetheless ready for, we do have a touch on the pricing. Segway has claimed that the brand new fashions will “prime out within the $3,000 vary.” The corporate is pitching that as a serious deal contemplating the know-how included within the bikes. It’s a bit laborious to evaluate that but with out figuring out what that know-how bundle seems like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re probably e-bikes that may fall someplace within the underserved hole between the funds and premium ends of the spectrum.
These aren’t more likely to compete on value with the funds e-bikes on the market, however must also be extra inexpensive than heading to the standard suspects of premium e-bike firms like Specialised, Trek, Big, and others which have lengthy loved main market share on the extra premium finish of the spectrum.
What do you consider the upcoming Segway Xafari and Xyber, at the least primarily based on the small print we all know thus far? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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